The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Tyler Cook declares for NBA Draft

Iowa’s starting forward has his sights set on the professional level.
Iowa+forward+Tyler+Cook+%285%29+celebrates+a+dunk+during+the+NCAA+mens+basketball+game+between+Iowa+and+Wisconsin+at+Carver-Hawkeye+Arena+on+Tuesday%2C+Jan.+23%2C+2018.+The+Hawkeyes+are+going+into+the+game+with+a+conference+record+of+1-7.+Iowa+went+on+to+defeat+Wisconsin+85-67.+%28Ben+Allan+Smith%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
The Daily Iowan; Photo by Ben Al
Iowa forward Tyler Cook (5) celebrates a dunk during the NCAA men’s basketball game between Iowa and Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. The Hawkeyes are going into the game with a conference record of 1-7. Iowa went on to defeat Wisconsin 85-67. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Hawkeye basketball forward Tyler Cook announced on March 9 that he will declare for this year’s NBA Draft.

“I am following God’s plan and I am thankful for this opportunity. I appreciate all of the support that I continue to receive from Hawkeye Nation,” Cook said in his Instagram post.

Cook averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.75 assists per game this past season, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. The St. Louis native also recorded seven double-doubles, six of which came in the Hawkeyes’ final 15 games this year.

“Tyler should take advantage of this opportunity, and we fully support his decision,” Hawkeye head coach Fran McCaffery said via Hawkeye Sports. “I have spoken with Tyler and his family in depth and believe this is the right decision. This relatively new rule is a positive one for those in pursuit of their professional dreams. Peter Jok went through it in 2016 and found it to be beneficial as it allows athletes to gather information through workouts and interviews from NBA personnel. We will assist Tyler every way we can throughout this process.”

Cook added in his announcement that he will not hire an agent, meaning that if for some reason he wishes to return to the program, he could (hiring an agent would make him ineligible to return to college basketball).

The NBA Draft will be held on June 21. If he chooses to take his name out of the draft pool for whatever reason, he must do so by June 11.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Adam Hensley, Pregame Editor
Email: [email protected] Twitter: @A_Hens83 Adam Hensley is the current Pregame Editor at the DI, covering football, men's basketball, and baseball. Formerly the DI Sports Editor, Hensley has been on staff for all four years of his time at the University of Iowa, covering a wide range of sports, including cross-country, track and field, and women's basketball.